Toms River SUV Theft Thwarted When Thief Finds Driver Sitting Behind The Wheel: Video

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River police are again warning residents to lock their vehicles and take their key fobs with them after an attempted theft of an SUV went badly for the thief on Wednesday.

More than 700 vehicles have been stolen in New Jersey in 2022, said Jillian Messina, media relations specialist for the Toms River Police Department. Thieves are looking for vehicles that appear to be unlocked, and targeting ones where the side mirrors are not folded against the body of the vehicle, she said.

That appears to have been the case Wednesday when just before 4 p.m., suspects in a silver Audi tried to steal an SUV from a home on Todd Road, Messina said.

The homeowner's surveillance video (see it below) captured the incident. The Audi, which police believe was stolen in Clifton, pulls into the driveway of the home and a man gets out and runs to an SUV parked close to the house.

As the thief opens the door to the SUV, he discovers the driver still sitting behind the wheel, and runs back to the Audi, which takes off.

Messina said the same Audi was seen at the scene of attempted vehicle thefts in Wall Township a little later Wednesday.

"The vehicle was most likely targeted due to the position of the mirrors, indicating it was unlocked," Messina said. "Please remember to lock your doors 24 hours of the day as New Jersey is experiencing a surge in auto thefts."

If you cannot see the video below, it can be viewed on the Toms River Police Department's Facebook page here.

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